skittyrreads's Reviews (339)

Read as an ARC

This was really enjoyable! The worldbuilding and characters were excellent, I loved how interconnected and well thought out it was, really reminded me of Priory of the Orange Tree (which I love!). I liked all the characters, especially Fay, Ina and Alexios and how they all tied in with the plot. My only small gripe is that I wish we got more from the villians POV as I thought they were super interesting and I want to know more 😭. This comes out March 5th and i'd recommend!

Let me spin you a tale. My friend and I, after finishing this book sat in complete and utter silence- the book having robbed us of genuine human thought. So, that means it was good right? Right? Well, let me spin you another tale.

This may be one of the worst novels that's ever been thought up, typed up, edited (?) and published. On even the most basic technical level it fails to paint a coherent narrative, interesting mystery, compelling romance or any basic character work. Never in my life have I seen a novel that felt more like two children on a playground trying to outdo each other in a simple childhood game. An utter failure on every level. But let me go into more depth.

Setting; So badly conceived that we genuinely couldn't tell when or where this story is set. It's going for victorian gothic can't seem to commit to it? The actual campus itself is so confusing not on purpose but because the author can't write a place without somehow underwritting and overwritting the prose (e.i constantly describing the gargoyle statues as "grotesque". They are gargoyles. We inheritly understand that they're grotesque. There is also a town (called. Town.) and a lake (called. Lake.) So clearly the author put thought and effort into this world outside of the romance. Speaking of;

Romance; Ick worthy. Nasty. Nothing about the romance here is inheritly fun or even sexual. Corvina (22 I believe) is inexperienced, young and very prone to being manipulated. In almost every encounter with our MMC she seems almost not into it? Until she just is and she's in love with him and he's her "mountain" (YUCK) or whatever. She never takes the initiative into their sexual or romantic encounters and it makes their scenes together seem forced. And our MMC, Vad, is very clearly a serial killer who preys on his young students. My evidence? Well he has a history of fucking his students/staff (see Alissa and Zoe), he constantly forces himself on Corvina, telling her to "stay away" and when she does (somehow because he is her teacher!) he still forces his way into her life and reprimands her for not staying away (???), he actually sexually assults her at one point (the tree scene, yes that is assault sorry!), he constantly tells Corvina he "could kill her if he wanted", and as soon as his crazy, self calling devil ass isn't at the school nobody goes missing. He is a serial killer and I won't hear otherwise. He also violates every boundary Corvina has both bodily (as discussed) and mentally when he actively GOES THROUGH HER MEDICAL HISTORY? AND CORVINA LOVES HIM FOR IT?? She also attributes his "love" for her as to why she's accepted when what the fuck does he have to do with that? Nobody knows you people are together, they like you because of YOU. Not once is she insecure about herself in a real true sense, so trying to dupe the reader into thinking an arc has happened is cute! But it didn't work. Hate, hate HATE. Them together.

Characters; They're nothing. They don't exist outside of Corvina. Nothing exists outside of Corvina.

Mystery; What mystery? The author says it's meant to be open ended... not within the novel just in the acknowledgements. The Black Ball disappearances do absolutely nothing for the book aside from padding out book time and wasting the readers brain capacity. Spoilers for a twist here! The twist with Jade did shock my friend and I, only because there is exactly no hint to it at any point and then is immediately ruined by Mo (Corvina's schizo voice which also doesn't get an explanation outside of "she has daddy issues idk I have no idea how schizophrenia works!"). There's just no point for any of the mysteries not because it's open ended but because the author refuses to engage with it.

Other; The pacing of everything is atrocious, 80% meanders and drags its feet like a child who doesn't want to go to school, and the last 20% goes so quickly I got whiplash, which contributes to the book taking a nosedive around that 80% mark. The mental health rep in here is so inaccurate it actually makes me angry, that is not how schizophrenia works and you know it. You can just "the power of love" it away. 

Overall, this novel feels like someone half remembered some themes and tropes from Dracula and thought "Hey! I can do that!" and then proceed to just make shit up and pretend that this is it, the authority on all things goth™️, when really tarot and wearing black is, intensely normal? Nobody thinks you're weird for that. This work lacks an understanding of basically everything it tries to represent in the most clumsy, childish way. Do not read, least you be taken by a slayer.

Born and raised at Lake yall.

This is not a reflection on N.K. Jemisin's work herself as most of the stories here were excellent- Walking Awake in particular being my favourite, I just hate reading short story compilations. Other than that the usual peak that is her writing (except the Trojan Girl. Fuck that story.)

This is such a fun first novel! I genuinely adored every character and thought the female friendships here well written. Super interesting world and world building, love the magic system. Valkyrie and Skulduggery are so good as a pairing and I cannot wait to read more.

I can't bear to rate this. It's just so fucking close to home.

Part of my diversity baseline challange


I'm currently dying of covid and needed something sweet and this? Hit the spot perfectly. It's a little more tell than show at points but it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the book at all! Holly is such a sweet FMC and Kai was genuinely really lovely. Side characters were great too and I laughed out loud at points. Short, sweet and simple, all that's really needed for a good holiday romance!

David Walliams second novel, this is neither an improvement nor a downgrade from his previous work. Focusing on Chloe and her new friendship with the town tramp, "Mr Stink", this is mainly about family and loss. This meanders a bit in places, and Chloe, while personally relatable to me as a child has lost her charm as an adult reading, the same could be said for Mr Stink as I don't find him as endearing as I did. The mother character is also forgiven very quickly but it's a short novel so I don't fault it for that. Raj is again incredibly stereotypical but he provides the basis for one of the biggest emotional moments in the book. Also it's clear the "party" is meant to be Britian's government at the time so it does date it a touch. This novel also has a lot more "toilet humor" which again doesn't help it for an older reader. The ending is so good however and really prevents this from being 2.5 stars. 

Rangers supporter? DNF. Celtic ONLY.

As David Walliams first book, this is remarkable in character of both narrative and story. Focusing on Dennis and his journey with his own sense of visual identity and his family situation, this is a flawed but deeply, deeply sad novel. Dennis's family situation is so common and seeing it portrayed in such a stark way for a children's novel is heart-rending but it makes Lisa's character and her use of fashion and colour all the more impactful. While the end of the novel slightly contradicts what its central theme is, I still think this is a decent novel for children. Its messaging about self identity, not judging people, different religions and family are all worth while. Raj however is a slightly sour note on this story, many clichés involved with his character but I genuinely cannot say if it was done maliciously, especially because he is a pillar of refuge for Dennis. Not bad, especially for a debut.

This was just stunning in every aspect- lyrical and epic and sweeping and so deeply romantic, this took me on a journey and refused to let go. Red and Blue are so fantastic as characters and as a pairing and I both delighted in their banter and love story and felt deep loss when the third act transpires. This was just brilliant.

This is not a story for people who want deep lore or even coherency, this is for those who like myths and the feeling of stepping into a fairy circle for the first (and last) time.